Advancements

Ether 4:12 – 13:
“And whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me; for good cometh of none save it be of me. I am the same that leadeth men to all good; he that will not believe my words will not believe me—that I am; and he that will not believe me will not believe the Father who sent me. For behold, I am the Father, I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world.
“Come unto me, O ye Gentiles, and I will show unto you the greater things, the knowledge which is hid up because of unbelief.

I remember a fireside I went to where the speaker spoke about the Restoration of the Gospel and why it took place when it did. He pointed out something I thought was interesting.. it was that in 1830 the Patent Office in America was closed as they thought that everything had been invented, that was ever going to be. Since then there have been more inventions and advancements than ever before. When the light of the gospel was restored to the earth of the light of Christ burned brighter, and it’s amazing what has happened since then.

It is like that in our life also – we make look at ourselves (or others) and think that we have stopped progressing, or that we aren’t able to achieve miraculous things, but when the light of Christ burns brighter in our live, and we abandon unbelief, the Lord will show us “greater things”. The Saviour will lead us and persuade us, with Him we can become who we really are, and have oodles of joy:)

Our Whole Hearts

By Elder Theodore M. Burton:

"A person’s attitude is perhaps the hardest of all personal attributes to change. If your attitude is right, then your life is made right. If your heart is touched, your mind and way of thinking will change and your life will change for the better accordingly.

I believe we must become so immersed in the gospel of Jesus Christ that we become physically as well as mentally more and more like the Lord himself. We must yield our whole hearts to him. What we then do is done not because we are asked to, nor because we are forced to, but because we want to. Neither pressure nor force can be exerted upon us from outside, when what we do is done because it is our own choice and desire. It then makes no difference to us what other men may think, or say, or do. Our hearts being committed wholly to God, what we do is done out of our love for and our trust in him".
(“Conference Excerpts,” New Era, Jan. 1974, 6)

Loving & Giving, Giving & Loving

“It is appropriate to note the ways in which the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth can be crucial in the living of our daily lives in this tiny sliver of time that we call mortality.

First, service to others deepens and sweetens this life while we are preparing to live in a better world. It is by serving that we learn how to serve. When we are engaged in the service of our fellowmen, not only do our deeds assist them, but we put our own problems in a fresher perspective. When we concern ourselves more with others, there is less time to be concerned with ourselves. In the midst of the miracle of serving, there is the promise of Jesus that by losing ourselves, we find ourselves!

Not only do we “find” ourselves in terms of acknowledging divine guidance in our lives, but the more we serve our fellowmen in appropriate ways, the more substance there is to our souls. We become more significant individuals as we serve others. We become more substantive as we serve others indeed, it is easier to “find” ourselves because there is so much more of us to find!

George McDonald observed that “it is by loving and not by being loved that one can come nearest to the soul of another.” Of course, we all need to be loved, but we must be giving and not always receiving if we want to have the wholeness of our lives and a reinforced sense of purpose.”
(“The Abundant Life”, Spencer W Kimball, Ensign Oct 1985 & July 1978)

Personal Progress

"We are sanctifying ourselves one step at a time as we accept personal responsibility for our actions and honor the covenants we make... We progress by living worthy to receive the blessings available to us, responding to those promptings to serve others, by loving one another, and by trying to obey the prophet's voice in all things"

—Barbara W. Winder, Ensign, Nov. 1985-

Feeding and Nurturing the Flame

"There is a flame of desire for good deep within each of us. When that flame is fed and nurtured with the eternal truths of the gospel and the testimony of the Spirit, it will respond and grow stronger and brighter until it leads us to the fulness of truth. The flame must be kindled by love and tender care, then followed by constant nourishing. It is like the gardener who raises beautiful flowers. The constant, tender care and nourishment over time brings beautiful blossoms that are enjoyed by all who see them."
(Elder Ned B. Roueché, "Feed My Sheep," Ensign, November 2004, 30)
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Alma 32:37

"And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say: Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit."

The Purifying Power of Gethsemane

These are the clips of the last talk given by Bruce R. McConkie befoe he passed away. He chose to speak on the Atonement. This, for me, is one of the most powerful testimonies of the Savior and His atonement given. I hope one day my testimony will be as strong as his. This talk is in 3 parts, if you would just rather read it, click HERE.

Truths about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

A great video. Remember to mute the music on my blog (located just to the left of this post!).x

Where are my Horses and Chariots of Fire?

"In the gospel of Jesus Christ you have help from both sides of the veil and you must never forget that. When disappointment and discouragement strike--and they will--you remember and never forget that if our eyes could be opened we would see horses and chariots of fire as far as the eye can see riding at reckless speed to come to our protection. They will always be there, these armies of heaven, in defense of Abraham's seed."

(Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "For Times of Trouble," New Era, Oct. 1980, 15)

Parental Teaching - Elder Eyring

"We cannot control what others choose to do, and so we cannot force our children to heaven, but we can determine what we will do. And we can decide that we will do all we can to bring down the powers of heaven into that family we want so much to have forever.

A key for us is in the proclamation: 'Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.'

What could make it more likely that people in family would love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and obey the law? It is not simply teaching them the gospel. It is in their hearing the word of God and then trying it in faith. If they do, their natures will be changed in a way that produces the happiness they seek."
(Elder Henry B. Eyring, "The Family," Ensign, Feb.1998, 18)

Directing Light into Dark Places

"The light of the gospel illuminates the path of life to eternity that otherwise would be dark and nondirecting. We can be like a mirror and direct light even into dark places. We are not the sources of light; nevertheless, through us light can be reflected to others. "

—Ted E. Brewerton, Ensign, Nov. 1991-